Franklin Delano Roosevelt: The Diagnosis of Poliomyelitis Revisited.

Revisiting the ailments of famous historical persons in light of contemporary medical understanding has become a common academic hobby. Public discussion of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's (FDR) diagnosis of poliomyelitis after his sudden onset of paralysis in 1921 has received just such a revisitation. Recently, this 2003 historical analysis has been referenced widely on the Internet and in biographies, raising speculation that his actual diagnosis should have been Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a noncontagious disease of the peripheral nervous system rather than poliomyelitis. The authors of that 2003 analysis used a statistical analysis of his case by selectively choosing some of his reported symptoms. FDR's diagnosis of poliomyelitis, however, was fully supported by the findings of leading expert physicians of that time, who were very knowledgeable in the then-common disease and who periodically examined him during the period of 1921-1924. The most significant diagnostic features of polio are the absence of objective sensory findings in the presence of flaccid motor paralysis. These features are consistent with diagnostic criteria extant during the periods of major poliomyelitis epidemics as well as those of the Center for Disease Control 90 years later. Additional findings of fever, prodromal hyperesthesia, more severe residual proximal muscle weakness, and extensive lower extremity impairment requiring mobility with long leg braces or a wheelchair give further evidence for the diagnosis in FDR's case. Nonbulbar Guillain-Barré Syndrome, which shares the features of a flaccid paralysis and thus mimicking the initial presentation of poliomyelitis, has more than an 80% complete recovery with no reported cases of eventual wheelchair use. The most severe cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome often have persistent objective sensory loss, associated with greater weakness in the feet and hands, which show no resemblance to FDR's impairment and disability. In light of the expert initial assessments by physicians completely familiar with the signs and symptoms of the then-common disease, review of his initial and subsequent disease course, and residual symptoms in comparison with those of Guillain-Barré syndrome, we find no reason to question the diagnostic accuracy of poliomyelitis and wish to put this debate to rest.

Case report: a case review of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome and low back pain.

The following is a case report which reviews the essential aspects of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) in a patient with long standing back pain and gait dysfunction. The patient was referred to our electrodiagnostics laboratory for a 9-month history of low back pain and difficulty walking following a charity breast cancer walk. A workup including magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, entire spine, and EMG/NCS at another institution were reportedly normal. A detailed history revealed symptoms of proximal weakness and autonomic dysfunction. Physical findings were consistent with proximal weakness, a bilateral gluteus medius gait, and diffusely absent reflexes obtainable in the biceps after 3 s of contraction. Electrical testing revealed an initial low compound muscle action potential amplitude in the deep peroneal nerve recording from the extensor digitorum brevis. Repetitive stimulation at 2 Hz revealed a decremental response of 42% from the 1st response to the 4th response. Following 3 s of exercise, the amplitude increased by 300%. After 30 s of exercise followed by 1 min of rest, there was a return of the decremental response. The history, physical examination, and electrical findings were illustrative of a presynaptic neuromuscular junction disorder, specifically LEMS.

Expanding the differential of shoulder pain: Parsonage-Turner syndrome.

A 44-year-old man was in his car when it was rear-ended in a minor motor vehicle collision, during which his right forearm contacted the steering wheel. Shortly thereafter, pain in his right shoulder developed, but initial work-up was unremarkable. His pain progressed to shoulder girdle weakness over several months and did not improve after 2.5 years. At the time of consultation, he complained of right-sided neck pain radiating to the right deltoid muscle and axilla as well as right shoulder blade pain with shoulder girdle weakness. Repeated electrodiagnostic studies revealed denervation limited to the serratus anterior and right deltoid muscles without evidence of cervical radiculopathy. He was diagnosed with Parsonage-Turner syndrome, which is a neurologic condition characterized by acute onset of shoulder and arm pain followed by weakness and sensory disturbance. The authors review patient presentation, physical examination, and work-up needed for diagnosis of this syndrome to help physicians avoid administering unnecessary tests and treatment.

Lingual abscess from a grill cleaning brush bristle.

OBJECTIVES: 1) Describe the clinical presentation of a lingual abscess secondary to a foreign body. 2) Discuss the workup of glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GN). 3) Review existing literature. METHODS: Illustrative case report and literature review generated by PubMed citation search. RESULTS: This is a report of a patient who presented with severe tongue and ear pain, initially diagnosed with glossopharyngeal neuralgia. He subsequently returned with acute neck swelling, altered mental status, and rapidly progressive airway edema. After securing his airway, radiographic imaging confirmed a lingual abscess with a linear foreign body. He was taken emergently to the operating room for neck exploration with incision and drainage of the abscess. Despite inability to locate the foreign body, he had complete resolution of the abscess and airway edema. Subsequent CT scanning confirms the continued presence of the foreign body consistent with a grill cleaning brush bristle. DISCUSSION: Lingual abscesses are extremely uncommon. Diagnosis may be difficult and as a consequence, when they occur, they may result in airway compromise or sepsis. Major textbooks often omit description of this entity, which has been associated with oral trauma and with retained foreign bodies such as fish bones. This is the first case report of a near fatal lingual abscess due to a bristle from a grill cleaning brush. CONCLUSIONS: To date, there has been no published literature describing the development of a lingual abscess secondary to a bristle from a grill cleaning brush. We describe the presentation and management of this condition and how it may mimic glossopharyngeal neuralgia.

Franklin D. Roosevelt: diagnosis, clinical course, and rehabilitation from poliomyelitis.

In this case report, we examine Franklin Delano Roosevelt's prognosis, clinical course, and rehabilitation from poliomyelitis, and we examine the criticisms of errors in his diagnosis and management on the basis of current knowledge of the pathophysiology of poliomyelitis. Medical and historical records reveal the onset of severe paralysis, which progressed over several days, with minimal improvement in hips and lower limbs, but recovery of facial, upper limb, and upper trunk muscles. There is no scientific basis for assertions of mismanagement that led to more severe paralysis; the paralysis was most likely caused by strenuous activities in the preparalytic phase of his illness.

Intraoperative positioning during cesarean as a cause of sciatic neuropathy.

BACKGROUND: Sciatic nerve compression has been well documented as a cause of perioperative sciatic neuropathy but rarely during cesarean. CASE: A parturient complained of left foot drop after cesarean delivery for twins performed under spinal anesthesia. Intraoperatively, her right hip was raised with padding under the right buttock to tilt the pelvis approximately 30 degrees to the left. Postoperatively, the patient had weakness, sensory changes, and diminished reflexes in the left lower extremity. Electrodiagnostic studies supported a diagnosis of neurapraxia and partial denervation in the distribution of the sciatic nerve. By postpartum week 6, she had full recovery. CONCLUSION: Elevating the right buttock during cesarean can cause compression of the underlying structures of the left buttock and result in sciatic neuropathy. Decreasing the duration of time the patient is in the left lateral position may reduce the risk of this uncommon but debilitating complication.